While at Galion I actually heard two coaches complaining that it was unfair that the start was up hill. I also heard that the course was so poorly marked that it was hard for the kids to follow. How much easier can it be made to follow?

Was hit with a football being thrown around. Went to pick it up to give it back and when I did not hear an "I'm sorry", I just tossed it softly to the ground. Then I heard "You are Rude", by the mother of the kid. I turned around and asked if she was kidding me with a laugh in my voice. "How about an I'm sorry I hit you with a football?" Then Mr. Husband puffed his chest out like he was going to chime in, then I said "Enjoy the Cross Country meet." I got more upset about it as the day went on.

Can't tell you how any people duck under the ropes at the finish to get closer to the $60,000 worth of cameras. Even after telling one set of ADULTS to please stay outside the roped of area, they waited till backs were turned and just went right in the restricted area. At one point, the identalynx camera got knocked so it was missing half the line for a small time.

A woman went to the tent where packets were and made the suggestion that the meet would be so much better if the timing trailer wasn't in the way. Never dawns on people there are two sides to the finish line. They have to be near the trailer. Every race all day long. Sometimes the same people have to be asked to leave. Always amazes me that rules do not apply to everyone.

Kids losing places because they are looking at the time on the clock to see their time instead of racing and getting passed by 2-6 runners.

Then there are the teams that can't seem to keep the boys and girls chips and bibs straight, so they have 3 girls in the boys race and 4 boys in the girls race. Or the teams that just mix and match bibs and chips without any regard for who has what and then wants to complain that their kids are not correct in the results.

I too was at Galion. Never have I encountered such disrespect from parents
and grandparents. My teams races were over, but during the first D1 open race
the groups of people who stood on the course in the way of the slower runners
really disgusted me, so I started yelling at them to move. They looked at me and ignored me, so I got closer and asked them what is wrong with them? just as a boy in the race was yelling at them to move. Still they didn't move and he had to weave between them. Even the sight impaired boy had to dodge them.
Finally the group moved, and another promptly took their place on the course.

Was it worse this year than usual? I have been at Galion only for the past seven years but never remember it being as hot as it was this year. Perhaps the heat was at play affecting both the offenders and the offended? I know it affected many competitors.

1. No course map posted. (It is pretty easy to post the map by a concession stand or something so spectators can look at it or put it on Baumspage).
2. Courses that are poorly marked with no escort vehicle or people guiding runners.
3. Escort vehicle operators who do not know the course. Last meet I was at, the escort vehicle cut the course at a curve and some of the runners followed it.
4. Spectators that don't pay attention to where they are and block the course.
5. Chutes after finish line not big enough for the number of runners causing runners to not be able to run through the finish line.
6. Courses with criss-crosses that create a situation where runners are literally running through runners (Ottawa).

If you think #6 is bad then you should have watched the middle school races at Boardman this past weekend. The double loop around the baseball field was a mess. I sure hope they reconsider that for next year.

My gripes are not with the Meet, but the attendees. Galion's course is as easy to negotiate as any I have ever seen. I do not think there should be lead vehicles and kids should learn the course. Parents need to be respectful of other races and runners.

A problem with lead vehicles is that the driver gets used to a MS course and then messes up on a HS race. Just use a trail vehicle for injured runners and to communicate with the finish line / start so other races can start etc...

At Stow last year the first 60 or so runners in the girls race before one girl ran the correct way and was followed by the rest of the runners. They did not DQ the runners that went the wrong way and cut off a lot of the course. I have a problem with that.

As more and more kids compete each year and meets seem to get bigger and bigger, the ignorant fans becomes more and more common. Sort of a shame.

I too was at Galion. Never have I encountered such disrespect from parents
and grandparents. My teams races were over, but during the first D1 open race
the groups of people who stood on the course in the way of the slower runners
really disgusted me, so I started yelling at them to move. They looked at me and ignored me, so I got closer and asked them what is wrong with them? just as a boy in the race was yelling at them to move. Still they didn't move and he had to weave between them. Even the sight impaired boy had to dodge them.
Finally the group moved, and another promptly took their place on the course.

I'm surprised no runners tried to run them over. First thing that would come to my mind if people were in my way on a course.

I always find it a bit odd and a little funny that people will stand right in front of signs that say "do not stand here". We created some signs that say that for the Eisenhart meet so that runners from other races wouldn't trip the reader by the finish line...doesn't seem to matter...they stand there anyway, and we have to ask them to move.

The track at Dublin Coffman HS has a rolling gate to the track that officials sometimes need to either open or close. BIG SIGN there telling people not to stand there. They do anyway. I saw a woman about get her arm broken there because she didn't obey the sign.

There definitely are some people who believe the rules just don't apply to them, but I would like to think the majority of those people were just focused on the task of finding their runner and didn't notice the signs. Still others are just inexperienced attendees at events and, in the case of a cross country race, don't understand that a runner might be well behind the last pack of runners.

My gripes are not with the Meet, but the attendees. Galion's course is as easy to negotiate as any I have ever seen. I do not think there should be lead vehicles and kids should learn the course. Parents need to be respectful of other races and runners.

A problem with lead vehicles is that the driver gets used to a MS course and then messes up on a HS race. Just use a trail vehicle for injured runners and to communicate with the finish line / start so other races can start etc...

At Stow last year the first 60 or so runners in the girls race before one girl ran the correct way and was followed by the rest of the runners. They did not DQ the runners that went the wrong way and cut off a lot of the course. I have a problem with that.

As more and more kids compete each year and meets seem to get bigger and bigger, the ignorant fans becomes more and more common. Sort of a shame.

The sad thing is now the lead vehicles' main purpose isn't to guide the lead runners. The main purpose is to get spectators the heck out of the way. So many folks walk around these XC meets with their heads down; oblivious to what's going on right next to them. Boardman had officials driving 2-wide leading each race. I agree that it's the runners' responsibility to know the course. They should not expect a lead vehicle, nor should they rely on it. If you have runners that intend to win, get there early enough and walk the course properly which brings me to another thing that amazes me:

I can't believe how many teams show up an hour or less before their kids' 1st race of the day.

I'm relatively new to the XC screen (my oldest started running 3 years ago), and here are just a few of my observations. Get rid of the footballs and frisbees at these events. I know the kids have down time, but find something else to do. Parents are nuts, regardless of sport. I think Galion is one of those courses that brings out grandparents and family members who don't normally go to races, and they wander around without regard to the "rules".

Whenever I see kids of this age doing something physical and interactive instead of having their heads down staring at a screen, a big smile comes across my face. Sloth is the enemy here folks. If I have to develop a little thicker skin or be forced to dodge an occasional errant football, then so be it.

As for Galion, the stretch under the pine trees is a little confusing for folks that have not been there before. It is a natural walking path as you enter the meet coming from the main road. But this also is the same area whereby runners pass by twice. This area is not roped off and the markings showing it is a part of the course become diffused after it has been run on all day.

Excuse used is the Graham HS course is dangerous....dear lord man, talk about wanting all XC "track meets on grass"....find a challenging course with hills, which (god forbid) if you stumble you may scrape up a knee.
Grahams course has a dangerous spot in the woods, which could be averted with a bit of effort.
Simply put, it was easier to just move the invite.

Excuse used is the Graham HS course is dangerous....dear lord man, talk about wanting all XC "track meets on grass"....find a challenging course with hills, which (god forbid) if you stumble you may scrape up a knee.
Grahams course has a dangerous spot in the woods, which could be averted with a bit of effort.
Simply put, it was easier to just move the invite.

If Jeff Jordan were the cross country coach and wanted the meet run on that course, I bet he would get it done: "danger" or no "danger!" I say get Jordan involved!

Excuse used is the Graham HS course is dangerous....dear lord man, talk about wanting all XC "track meets on grass"....find a challenging course with hills, which (god forbid) if you stumble you may scrape up a knee.
Grahams course has a dangerous spot in the woods, which could be averted with a bit of effort.
Simply put, it was easier to just move the invite.

There definitely are some people who believe the rules just don't apply to them, but I would like to think the majority of those people were just focused on the task of finding their runner and didn't notice the signs. Still others are just inexperienced attendees at events and, in the case of a cross country race, don't understand that a runner might be well behind the last pack of runners.

NO! People are actively picking up ropes and caution tape and cones and barriers to go places where they should not be. That is not lack of focus, that is lack of manners.

I was not upset about getting hit with a football. Might have been if it had hit me in the eye, or drilled me in the back of the head. I'm upset by the lack of common manners by people. Even when I see teams that are warming up on the course and may be in the way of an ongoing race, it's always with a coach. Most often, if the kids are on their own, they are much more polite and respectful and aware of what's going on. Add adults and it goes to garbage.

I've seen (more than once) coaches get upset because their packets are under the OHSAA name and not what they call think their school should be named. Example, and this is not a school that has done it, Medina high school has a middle school named Root. God forbid your packet for the Middle school is under Root and not Medina Middle School. Just be happy your kids are registered. Especially if you have forgotten to register some and you need a favor. Coaches need a course on proper etiquette.

NO! People are actively picking up ropes and caution tape and cones and barriers to go places where they should not be. That is not lack of focus, that is lack of manners.

I was not upset about getting hit with a football. Might have been if it had hit me in the eye, or drilled me in the back of the head. I'm upset by the lack of common manners by people. Even when I see teams that are warming up on the course and may be in the way of an ongoing race, it's always with a coach. Most often, if the kids are on their own, they are much more polite and respectful and aware of what's going on. Add adults and it goes to garbage.

I've seen (more than once) coaches get upset because their packets are under the OHSAA name and not what they call think their school should be named. Example, and this is not a school that has done it, Medina high school has a middle school named Root. God forbid your packet for the Middle school is under Root and not Medina Middle School. Just be happy your kids are registered. Especially if you have forgotten to register some and you need a favor. Coaches need a course on proper etiquette.

Well, like I said, there are for sure some people who don't believe the rules apply to them. Seems they might have all found you.

This isn't just at XC meets. It's common everywhere.....grocery stores, other drivers on the road, malls, at festivals, etc. Good manners were once commonplace. At times good manners now seem to be a rarity.

Remember the phrase "Didn't you mother ever teach you?" Too many mothers are not teaching good manners. Out society has become a bunch of entitled crying victims. Rudeness is the order of the day not by all but far too many.

Last weekend saw a guy on his cell phone with his back turned to the start line. We kept yelling at him to move because he was holding up the race and he gave us a dirty look and waved us off....a volunteer in a gator had to drive up and tell him to move. Even then he was mad.